Top Packing Tips

Packing for a holiday can be a stressful business, whether it’s a romantic weekend away or a month long trek through the Andes. The best thing to do is to thoroughly research the climate and availability of certain products at your destination.

Packing lots of shampoo and toothpaste is unnecessary if supplied by your hotel and many smaller, disposable items can be bought at your destination and left behind when you leave.  Packing loads of jerseys and jackets is also useless if the weather is generally warm, and there is nothing worse than freezing on holiday because you thought holiday destinations were always warm and sunny!

The most important things to pack include the obvious documents such as your passport, travel insurance documents, important medical and insurance details and your plane, train or bus ticket. Comfortable travelling clothes and an easy to carry bag are vital. Safe storage for your valuable items such as cash, passport, travel documents and travellers cheques must be decided in advance, whether it be a hidden pouch or a strap-on back pack.

Don’t pack your entire cosmetics range, rather double up on a moisturiser with a sun screen, or a body wash that doubles as a shaving cream. Don’t pack your valuable jewellery – wearing it makes you a target for criminals and home content insurance doesn’t normally cover valuables lost on holiday, so you will need travel insurance for these items. If you do take valuable and irreplaceable items with you, keep them in the hotel safe.

Packing for a trip is a struggle between what we want to take with us and what we need to take with us. A general rule of thumb is: Only take what you NEED and leave behind the less vital things. Remember, you want space to pack your holiday bargains and gifts on the trip home!

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